Day 2: Philippines, Cebu

Thanks guys for the warm words and support! Here goes my second day in Cebu:

Woke up late :) Weather outside- well perfect: sunny, cloudless and summer warm :) After lazy shower we managed to climb up to the Taoist temple. Increadibly pretty! So much green everywhere, such a nice view of the city and dragons and chinese characters - yes I managed to decipher a few ;)
Than lunch with Kim's mom, her sister and a furball dog :) So good to eat normal food again - meaning not chinese. Sorry, it's a little bit too much after 3 months of noodles, rice and tofu...
We were suppoused to go visiting but plans changed and we landed in the bggest shopping mall I've ever seen! After cheap but - well let's face it - crappy stuff in Taiwan, I woke up in the shoppoholic heaven of the Phillipines. Same prices, soooo much better choice and quality! Forget HongKong! This is where all the cool stuff is on sale !! We had a blast shopping for Tshirts :P And the nice staff spreading the spirit : Merry Christmas Ma'am! Smile just didn't go off my face :)
Than exhausted we made our way to refill caffeine in my vains to Starbucks. Still amazed I engaged in a merry conversation with the guy behind the counter. Generally, I noticed Philippino people are just happy! Or positive - however you'd call it. Their a lilttle bit chaotic lifestyle, colorful clothes, music everywhere, willingness to sing, dance skills and the national symbol - the jeepney, they are all a good reflection of a nation which is simply happy - with life. I hope I can learn that one day :)

Things I’ve learned today about the country: The name comes from the Philip the king of Spain. It was discovered by Ferdinand Magellan, who was killed on the Mactan island by the guy called Lapu-Lapu (love the names here!!!).

Kim’s house does have a very Spanish style – not that I know much about architecture, but this is how I see it. Huge doors, King size beds, cool furniture, verandas, main gate as if take straight from the Zorro movie :)

It is one of the most populated countries in the world with 92 million people ( no wonder: everyone wants to live in a happy place) and 11 million more abroad (WHY???). People here are of different ethnicity, but are so used to different races walking around that no intolerance can be observed. Oh, and they looove Jollibee!! It’s the only country where McDonalds is not the #1 fast food restaurant! My opinion on the taste will come soon:) A Philippine specialty that I got to try was the Halo- Halo (again, who come up with this language?! It’s as happy as the people :) ) which literally means mix-mix. It basically consists of ice cream, corn, jelly, coconut, and whatever leftover they had from the day :D

pictures uploaded on :

http://picasaweb.google.com/martakubicz/PrzygotowaniaIPoczatekPodrozy#

UPDATE: Philippines actually does rank 14th in the Happy Planet Index !! Ha!